Advanced and AS-Level results in Pembrokeshire's secondary schools have improved again from the high levels of last year and remain significantly above the national average.

An increasing number of young people are staying in Pembrokeshire schools to study A-Levels.

The overall Pembrokeshire pass rate at A-Level was 99 per cent compared with the Wales national average of 97.6 per cent. The percentage of pupils gaining an A grade in Pembrokeshire was 26.1 per cent compared to a Welsh average of 25 per cent.

The overall Pembrokeshire pass rate at AS-Level this year was 88.2 per cent compared to a national average of 86 per cent. The percentage of students gaining A grades was 18.4 per cent, above the Welsh average of 16.9 per cent.

Pembrokeshire County Council's head of school improvement and inclusion, Graham Longster, said: "Pembrokeshire's students can be proud of the fact that their results are among the best across Wales.

"I understand from our headteachers that most students have secured their places in higher education. It gives a clear indication of our continuing high standards at both A and AS-Levels in the eight Pembrokeshire secondary schools.

"Students and their teachers are better prepared for these examinations than ever before and their performance has increased as a result."

Clr. Huw George, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We are very pleased with the overall results. I would like to congratulate this year's students who have worked extremely hard over the last two years to achieve these excellent results.

"This success is due to their commitment, the efforts of staff in the schools and the support of their parents. I would like to thank them all and especially wish these youngsters every success in the future," he said.

"We are delighted that so many of our talented young people have performed so well and that their education has given them a secure foundation for future success.

"Education is - and always has been - one of the county council's top priorities. The continuous improvement in results over recent years is certainly evidence that this commitment is paying dividends."

Greenhill school

At Tenby's Greenhill School, retiring headteacher, Mr. Chris Noble, was celebrating another successful crop of results.

"We have had a very pleasing set of results for both Years 12 and 13," he told the Observer yesterday (Thursday).

Mr. Noble explained that in Year 12, a larger entry than ever of 125 students had sat AS-Levels and he was delighted that the pass rate (A-E grades) had improved to 89 per cent.

"That's a strong achievement with such a large entry," said Mr. Noble.

In Year 13, where students had their results added to the AS-Levels which they achieved in Year 12, the pass rate also improved to 98 per cent.

Mr. Noble also congratulated eight students in Year 13 who gained straight A grade passes.

"The results more than met our expectations," he said. "Greenhill's new head, Mrs. Janet Kingston, starts on September 1 and I am sure she'll be pleased with the results."

Dyffryn Taf

At Whitland's Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, results achieved by students sustained the high standards achieved by the school.

Headteacher, Mr. Robert Newsome said: "The school wishes to congratulate students on the success achieved at A-Level during the current academic year. These students have shown both dedication and perseverance in their studies throughout their time at Dyffryn Taf and deserve the accolade associated with such success. The performance reflects the efforts and effective partnership that exists between individual students, their parents and the teachers at Dyffryn Taf."

Mr. Newsome continued: "On behalf of the students and governors of the school, I wish to thank all the staff for their dedication and for providing the quality and diversity of educational experiences for all at the school. We wish all the A-Level students every success in the future."

The percentage of students gaining A-E pass grades was 99.5, while those who achieved A-C grades was 69.3 per cent.

The school also notes with some pride the individual achievements of the following pupils: Matthew Elms and Katie John, who both gained three grade As at A-Level and one A grade AS-Level; and Charlie Martin and Emily Mitchell, who both had three grade As at A-Level and one grade C at AS-Level.

TENBY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTRE

Excellent results have been attained by students who have been attending A level English Literature classes at Tenby Community Learning Centre.

Paul Bidgood, Sian Hughes, Tom Simpson, and Melanie Wherrett are to be congratulated on gaining two As and two B grades.

This achievement is particularly remarkable as three of the students managed to achieve this grade with just one year of studying.

Special congratulations are extended to Tom and Sian. Tom got maximum marks on one of the papers and Sian on three.

Thanks must be extended to tutor Lindsay Radion for her support and tutoring, enabling these learners to achieve their potential.

Next year the centre will be offering A level English Language and Literature. This is the first time the centre has offered this course and should prove popular with learners wishing to improve their qualification profile to progress to higher education or improve their job prospects. No prior knowledge is required. The course will look a grammar, text, analytical skills, reports, speeches comparing literary texts with non fiction.

For further information, please ring 01834 843297.

The Learning Pembrokeshire brochure is now available from Tenby Community Learning Centre, the library, local post offices, doctors surgeries or supermarkets.